Having an original idea that lots of other people haven't thought of is hard. Really hard. As Terrye says, most ideas seem to occur to several people at the same time. I think this is because events, or technologies, suddenly make certain ideas "obvious".

Sure, Jamie may have been first but mine's bi.. er.. lon.. more comprehensive.

Chuck,

Truly original ideas are hen's teeth. Different ways of looking at data sets are somewhat more common. I've spent so much time with balance sheets and spread sheets that picking out the anomalies is like a game. Even in Mr. Cilliza's piece, he glided right by the proud statement that $845,00 had been raised by the Dems on the internet in six weeks. I don't want to make light of that accomplishment but the straight extrapolation is $7,182,500 over the 51 weeks left until the election and about half of the 845K came after DeLay's phony indictment. How many times will Earle indict DeLay this year? Seven mil is chump change.

The Dem response to the reporter is similiar to the Captain of the Titanic calming the passengers "Not to worry, we've just stopped to take on a little ice." Right.

You should all be aware that we have had readers from the Washington Post, from other government agencies including the State Department, and from people's homes in DC. Things we say on here can actually have an impact on the world, it's not just an academic exercise, so we should strive to be circumspect in our declamations.

"DNC CHAIRMAN HOWARD DEAN REFUSES TO APPEAR ON SET WITH RNC CHAIR DURING TOMORROW 'MEET THE PRESS', SOURCES TELL DRUDGE... DEAN ONLY AGREED TO BACK-TO-BACK INTERVIEWS ON NBC WITH RIVAL... DEVELOPING..."

I would be a little uncomfortable if all I could do is read poll numbers, spout right-wing hitler lying "we are winning" BS with the other guy who out-raised by half TOO!